guymon new year’s trip

We saw Grammy for the first time since July over New Year’s. We drove out to Guymon and did a small New Year’s celebration and then Christmas again the next day. Uncle Ken came by one day and the cubs loved spending time with him! Reese loves Grammy’s chocolate cake so she and Copper helped Grammy make one. We took a trip to the park, played outside, and played lots of board games. The cubs also fell in love with Kitty Cat, Grammy’s cat. It’s pinewood derby time again so Chris usually does a design and cutting session with Grandad’s woodshop stuff while we’re there. When we’re in Guymon it’s always like taking a walk through Chris and Aunt Kathy’s childhood. This time we got see Chris’ baseball collection and found all the He-Man stuff! Elle found lots of vintage McDonald’s toys and has set up her own ebay business. She researched each piece and is hoping to make some good money. 😂 

Christmas Day 2020

The kids were kind to us and didn’t get up too early. I love the excitement though! Probably my favorite moments are when they exchange gifts with each other. Copper described his gift to me before I opened it. Bottom shampoo! 🤣 It was hilarious! I loved gifting Chris his Wee Box! It’s a subscription to a monthly box of goodies from Scotland. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 I ordered early so I was able to wrap up the first one. It had a beenie cap, a clock with a thistle to ring in the new year, a 2021 calendar with pictures giving clues to what that month’s box has as a theme, shortbread for First Footing, and a sign that says Lang may yer lum reek, which literally means, “Long may your chimney smoke.” The best way to wish someone a long and healthy life.

That afternoon we went to Michelle and Dennis’s house and had Christmas lunch and gift exchange with their family, Grandma Wilson, Nana, and Aunt Casey. It was the first time we were all together inside  since maybe last New Years. It was good for our souls! We played games and kids played hard!

Christmas Eve 2020

This year we spent most of the day lounging around. It was the most and least stressful holiday we’ve had in a long time. I actually felt prepared better this year and wasn’t scrambling last minute. We usually go to Christmas Eve service with Nana and Aunt Casey. This year it was a drive in service which added its own fun. We took the kids’ battery tea lights and parked next to Aunt Casey’s car. Afterwards we went home made a Tuscan sausage soup and sugar cookies for santa. One of my favorite things we’ve started doing is letting the kids open a present of new books. This year I also got Chris a couple and he got me one. It was bliss sitting quietly for a while before bed and everyone enjoying their new books.

Chris got The Nutcracker and Other Christmas Tales and Letters From Father Christmas by Tolkien because he and the bigs just finished The Hobbit.

I got a beautiful book about Scotland because I can’t travel there right now.

Elle got Lucky’s Guide to Wintertime Whimsy and How to Draw Cute Beasts because she loves the Spirit show and drawing cute things.

Todd got Gravity Falls and DuckTales graphic novels. Gravity Falls is new to him and he loves DuckTales the old and new shows.

Reese got an Elephant and Piggie and I Can Be a Gymnast Barbie book. She has really picked up on her reading and loves the Mo Willems books. She also loves Barbie and her gymnastics class.

Copper got a Paw Patrol nonfiction set and The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Grey Bridge. He loves Paw Patrol so that was a no brainer. The Lighthouse book is one Chris and I first heard about from West Wing. He actually loves it! Especially at bedtime.